Apparatus for portable sleighs.



No. 805,318. PATENTED NOV. 21,1905. A. K. RAMSDBLL.

APPARATUS FOR PORTABLE SLEIGHS. I

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1. I

No. 805,318. PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905. A. K. RAMSDBLL.

APPARATUS FOR PORTABLE SLEIGHS.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 5 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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3 0/ i i/j UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 21, 1905.

Application filed May 5, 1905. Serial No. 259,075.

T 0 ctZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALANsoN KEMP RAMs- DELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Old Orchard, in the county of York and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Portable Sleighs; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in sleighs and mechanism for propelling the same; and the object of the invention is to produce a simple and eflicient means whereby a'motor of any kind adapted for the purpose may be employed for driving an operating-wheel having spurs about its circumference adapted to cut into the surface of the snow or ice for the purpose of driving the sleigh.

My invention consists in various details of construction and in arrangements of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described and then specifically defined in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this application, and in which Figure 1 is aside elevation of my improved sleigh. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View. Fig. 3 is a top view, and Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Reference now being had to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates the rear bob of the sleigh, andA the front bob, the rear bob carrying a bolster B and the forward bob a bolster B. Said bolsters are preferably connected each to its respective bob by pivotal connection, as shown, and projecting from the rear of the bolster B is a segmentgear C, the teeth of-which are adapted to mesh with a gear-wheel D, which is fixed to the vertically-rotating steering-post E, which has a hand-wheel E, fixed thereto at any convenient location to the operator. A fifthwheel F rests upon the disk F, which is carried by the bolster B, and a cross-piece H is fastened to the fifth-wheel F and supports the platform K, on which the body of the sleigh rests. A pivot-pin or king-bolt H fastens the forward end of the platform to the bolster B, allowing the front bob and the segment which moves with the bolster B to move therewith.

Pivotally mounted upon the ears Z), which are fastened to the bolster B, is a rack O, having recesses O for the reception of said lugs b, and O designates pins carried by the rack O and passing through apertures in the lugs b. The opposite sides of said rack taper forward and carry in suitable bearings a shaft Q, which has fixed thereto the propelling-wheel J, having spurs J about its circumference. A counter-shaft I is mounted in suitable bearings upon said rack, and a sprocket-wheel I is fixed :to said shaft I, and I designates a sprocket-chain passing about the sprocketwheel I and the sprocket-wheel Q, which is fixed to the shaft Q. A yoke-shaped braceN is fastened to the inner edges of the side pieces 'of the rack and securely brace the same.

Springs G are fastened to the under sides of the strips K of the platform, and their free ends bear against the upper face of said rack, the purpose of which springs is to normally hold the driving-wheel against the surface of the snow or ice upon which the sleigh is to be propelled.

S designates a shaft which is mounted in the bearings S upon the platform of the sleigh, and S designates chains the forward ends of which are fixed to the shaftSand about which they are adapted to wind and, extending rearward, pass over the pulleys S which are mounted ,upon the platform of the sleigh, and their lower ends are secured to said rack, near the forward end thereof.

T designates a handle which is pivotally mounted upon the shaft S and carries a pawl T, designed to engage the teeth of theratchetwheel T which is fixed to the shaft S. By the provision of said lever it will be observed that means is provided for rotating the shaft S when it is desired to raise the rack and driving-wheel carried thereby.

Pivotally mounted upon the knees of the rear bob are the brake-levers IV, the upper ends of which are pivotally connected to rods WV, the forward ends of which are 'pivotally mounted upon the arms V, which project from the shaft V, which latter is journaled in suitable bearings upon the under side of the platform of the sleigh. A foot-lever V is also fixed to the shaft V and is so positioned that it will be convenient for an operator to depress the same when he desires to cause the brakes to cut into the surface of the snow or ice, as may be desired.

A suitable motor X is mounted upon the platform and has connection with a sprocketwheel X, mounted upon the shaft I, and a second sprocket-wheel Y, fixed to the shaft 1, has a sprocket-chain Y passing about the same and also about said sprocket-wheel X, whereby a rotary movement may be imparted to the shaft I and thence transmitted to the drivingwheel, as will be readily understood From the foregoing it will be observed that a simple and efficient apparatus is provided for driving a bob-sleigh and one in which the steering and brake apparatus may be conveniently actuated by the operator at all times.

While I have shown a particular form of apparatus illustrating my invention, it will be understood that I do not confine myself to the exact details of construction shown, but may vary the same, if desired, in various ways without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what 1 claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A motor-sleigh comprising, in combination with the bobs, a platform connecting the same, a driving-wheel, a pivotally-mounted rack on which said wheel is mounted, springs secured to the platform of the sleigh and bearing against the rack carrying said driving-wheel, a shaft mounted upon the platform, chains adapted to wind upon said shaft passing over suitable pulleys and connected with said rack, and means for rotating said shaft, as set forth.

2. A motor-sleigh comprising, in combina' a brake-shaft journaled in suitable bearings v upon the sleigh, and rod connections between said brake-shaftand brake-levers, as set forth. In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALANSON KEMP RAMSDELL. Witnesses:

J. S. CLARK, FRED 1. LUGE. 

